LA Rams tight ends hold key to 2024 success

What of second year tight end Davis Allen?

The Rams have the makings of a stud in the form of second-year tight end Davis Allen. The fifth-round selection in last year's NFL Draft received more playing time than most anticipated. Allen earned his way up the depth chart past veteran TE Brycen Hopkins and an oft-injured Hunter Long as the season went on. When starter TE Tyler Higbee went down due to injury, he suited up and took over. Allen is a big-bodied 6-foot-6, 245 pounds who can block and is also a solid vertical threat.

Davis hauled in ten receptions out of 11 targets for 95 yards and one touchdown. His best performance of the season was against the stiff Baltimore Ravens defense when Allen caught four passes for 50 yards and a score. Just 23 years old, Allen's development is certainly a topic to watch over the next few seasons.

Allen came on late in 2023, but did so in such a strong way that it's difficult now to see him earning more playing time and a larger role in this offense in 2024. But how large? It's clear that the team does not view Allen as an immediate starter. But why so much interest in Colby Parkinson? We will find out this season.

Time's up for seldom-used TE Brycen Hopkins

Veteran TE Brycen Hopkins is an unrestricted free agent as his rookie contract expires. Hopkins was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Originally drafted to take over the role of former Rams TE Gerald Everett, he has been underwhelming.

In 34 games played Brycen totaled 13 receptions for 196 yards with no touchdowns. That's not much for a guy whose contract has expired. Hopkins never seemed to earn enough consistent playing time to make a difference. In McVay's offense, you must earn your time on the field. Blocking is a must, and the optics on Hopkins is such that he seemed to struggle at blocking consistently. We've likely seen the last of Brycen Hopkins in a Rams uniform.